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About this quote

What does it mean?
Seeing beauty is a test of one's moral character.
In plain terms
Your response to beauty reveals your morals.
What can you take from it?
Cultivate a moral eye for beauty.

Where it applies

  • viewing art
  • appreciating nature

Putting it to work

  • practice mindful observation
  • reflect on why something moves you

Questions to consider

  • How do you judge beauty?
  • What moral qualities does beauty reveal?

Another view

Beauty can be superficial and not necessarily reflect moral depth.

More from Henry David Thoreau

  1. The bluebird carries the sky on his back.

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  2. The youth gets together his materials to build a bridge to the moon, or, perchance, a palace or temple on the earth, and, at length, the middle-aged man conclu…

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  3. Nothing is so much to be feared as fear. Atheism may comparatively be popular with God himself.

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